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The differences between business functional analysts and lead business analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a business functional analyst, becoming a lead business analyst takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a lead business analyst has an average salary of $107,171, which is higher than the $89,264 average annual salary of a business functional analyst.
The top three skills for a business functional analyst include java, business process and ERP. The most important skills for a lead business analyst are project management, scrum, and business analysis.
| Business Functional Analyst | Lead Business Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $89,264 | $107,171 |
| Hourly rate | $42.92 | $51.52 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 116,341 | 126,509 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A business functional analyst's role focuses on helping companies utilize and implement software and systems in various operations. They conduct initial assessments, gather and analyze data from different departments, perform risk assessments, and create plans for system implementation and integration. They also conduct extensive research and analyses to determine the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, developing solutions to optimize operations. Moreover, besides performing analytical tasks, a business functional analyst may also provide technical support to staff by troubleshooting complex issues and performing corrective measures when necessary.
A lead business analyst utilizes data and analytical skills to plan, develop, and implement business systems and operations to help a company attain its short and long-term goals. Their duties focus on conducting market research and assessments, gathering and analyzing data, studying consumers and competitors in the industry, and identifying the strengths and weaknesses in existing systems. They also conduct risk assessments, create business models and forecasts, and identify solutions against potential or existing issues. Additionally, through their research findings, they develop recommendations in adherence to company standards and regulations.
Business functional analysts and lead business analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Business Functional Analyst | Lead Business Analyst | |
| Average salary | $89,264 | $107,171 |
| Salary range | Between $65,000 And $122,000 | Between $82,000 And $139,000 |
| Highest paying City | Palo Alto, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Children's Place | Citi |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Finance |
There are a few differences between a business functional analyst and a lead business analyst in terms of educational background:
| Business Functional Analyst | Lead Business Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between business functional analysts' and lead business analysts' demographics:
| Business Functional Analyst | Lead Business Analyst | |
| Average age | 43 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.5% Female, 50.5% | Male, 55.3% Female, 44.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 9.8% Asian, 23.8% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% | Black or African American, 7.4% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 8.4% Asian, 14.2% White, 65.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 12% |